News Releases

Applicant Meetings Scheduled for Municipalities Included in Public Assistance Disaster Declaration

Communities in Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor counties that suffered damage to public infrastructure during the rain and flooding of June 25 – July 11, 2013 have the opportunity to submit reimbursement requests to FEMA for 75 of eligible costs. President Barack Obama granted the counties a Public Assistance disaster declaration on August 2nd. In order to be eligible, a community in one of the designated counties must file a “Request for Public Assistance” for FEMA Public Assistance within 30 days of the declaration date (September 1st).

The Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will begin the application process with mandatory applicants’ briefings on August 13th and 15th. The briefings will outline the requirements for receiving federal awards and maximizing eligibility of repairs.

Eligible Public Assistance projects include repairs to public roads and bridges, damage to public buildings, overtime for municipal employees during the response, and associated equipment rentals and contractor costs.

FEMA will assist the initial Public Assistance through its Williston, VT Joint Field Office. Additional personnel will be brought in to augment existing staff for DR-4140-VT as needed, and will work with the state to assist communities in preparing the necessary documentation for reimbursement under the Public Assistance program.

Communities in Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, and Windsor counties are strongly encouraged to send one or more representatives to one of the meetings to initiate the process of applying for federal assistance.

Meeting schedule:

Caledonia and Orleans Counties: Tuesday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lyndon Public Safety Building – 316 North Main Street in Lyndonville.

Chittenden and Washington Counties: Thursday morning, August 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Emergency Operations Center within the Department of Public Safety Building - 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, (photo I.D. required for building access)